Don't fall off your chair...

[Masterlu]

I am also considering this phono stage due to the distance my TT rig will be from my C1000.

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by tonepub

Not bad, I like the SRA stuff a little better. And not quite as expensive.

Actually, I'd put a set under your tube preamp, it always responds really well to good vibration control.

But it's not nearly as good looking, IMO.

The Craz Reference isoRACK plus -SRA's World Class Audio Isolation Equipment Racks

[cmalak]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

I am also considering this phono stage due to the distance my TT rig will be from my C1000.

Ivan...the Aesthetix Rhea is a great phono preamp at $4K and can deliver all the sonic goodies one can look for. From what I read the only knock on it is that the stock tubes can be inconsistent and some units tend to have tube noise but nothing that a bit of tube rolling can't solve. There is a Signature version @ $7000 that supposedly betters the basic Rhea. Here are two reviews that compare the Rhea Signature to the basic Rhea:

UltraAudio.com Equipment Review - Aesthetix Rhea and Rhea Signature Phono Stages (7/2009)
TAS 196: Aesthetix Rhea Signature Phonostage | AVguide

[Tonepub]

As a formerRhea owner, it was a pretty disappointing piece. Saying that tubes are "inconsistent" is a big understatement. Be prepared to spend a lot of dough on NOS tubes and often. This thing eats tubes. The new EAT tubes may also be a good fit, but 229 each.

If you are going to spend $7000 on this thing, spend 12k on an ARC REF2 Phono. Not even in the same league. Even a BAT VK-10SE Super Pak is a much better sounding preamp than the Rhea.

The benefit is that it will accommodate three turntables and you can set gain/loading from the comfort of your chair.

But this design is about ten years old now and much better performance has been achieved. Especially if you are thinking about a Goldfinger. This would be like putting cheap tires on your Lambo...

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

I am also considering this phono stage due to the distance my TT rig will be from my C1000.

You might also want to consider the Zanden unit.

[turntable]

I agree with Jeff. You will not be happy with the Rhea. It is plain just too noisy IMO with LOMC.

I might agree with Jeff re the ARC phono ref 2, running a loaner in at the moment, and it is sounding really really really good. A first to my ears from ARC.

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by tonepub

As a formerRhea owner, it was a pretty disappointing piece. Saying that tubes are "inconsistent" is a big understatement. Be prepared to spend a lot of dough on NOS tubes and often. This thing eats tubes. The new EAT tubes may also be a good fit, but 229 each.

If you are going to spend $7000 on this thing, spend 12k on an ARC REF2 Phono. Not even in the same league. Even a BAT VK-10SE Super Pak is a much better sounding preamp than the Rhea.

The benefit is that it will accommodate three turntables and you can set gain/loading from the comfort of your chair.

But this design is about ten years old now and much better performance has been achieved. Especially if you are thinking about a Goldfinger. This would be like putting cheap tires on your Lambo...

Thanks Jeff, this is exactly what I'm looking for.

[schaefer11]

"If you are going to spend $7000 on this thing, spend 12k on an ARC REF2 Phono."

Ivan,

Ever notice how no one ever seems to recommend something that sounds better and costs LESS than what you were looking at?

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by schaefer11

"If you are going to spend $7000 on this thing, spend 12k on an ARC REF2 Phono."

Ivan,

Ever notice how no one ever seems to recommend something that sounds better and costs LESS than what you were looking at?

Yes, I did!

[two dot]

Anybody going to suggest an EAR???

I believe Ivan is a dealer for those....